The Best Small Business Computers: PC vs Mac
Written by Evelina (InvoiceBerry.com) on April 20, 2016For so long, PC and Mac have dominated the field of computing and the battle between these never seems to end.
Unlike in the past where Mac was a reserve for the rich and those involved in really creative professions, the PC has level up to a quality that favourably competes with the Mac.
Try our online invoicing software for free
Accept online payments with ease
Keep track of who's paid you
Start sending invoices
Nowadays, having a small business calls for ownership of a powerful computer to make the tasks and processes faster, easier, less laborious and more effective.
Making a choice between Mac and PC still remains a challenge as each of them comes with different incredible features, as well as their own share of disadvantages.
Are you planning on investing in computers for your business? Which one between PC and Mac should you choose for your small business?
PC versus MAC
Affordability
PC’s are generally known to cost much less than the Mac computers. Even with similar features and specifications, it can be seen that PC’s will always be more affordable.
For instance, PCs cost $300 to $700 on average while a Mac with similar features will cost between $1500 and $3000 on average, which indicates a very huge price difference.
If your small business is looking for affordability, then PC’s are the perfect choice.
Wider variety
Unlike the Apple Mac computers that are manufactured in only six brands; the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, MacBook, Mac mini, Mac Pro and iMac, PC’s are available in countless models from which you can choose from.
Each of these models and brands come with different features and depending on your unique needs, you can choose one that perfectly fits you.
PC’s are manufactured by different companies with frequent updates to the features, which allow you to own the latest software and hardware in the computing industry.
Availability of software
PC’s run mainly on Windows and Linux operating systems which are more or less open source.
Windows OS is really cheap as compared to the iOS operating system that runs the Mac computers as well as other Apple devices such as the iPhone and iPad.
In addition to this, most Windows and Linux software for PC’s are easily accessible with some of them being free. Most of them can be easily downloaded from the internet and shared on different platforms.
On the other hand, Mac computers have their software specifically designed for them and cannot be accessed easily as compared to PC software.
Ease of maintenance
Given the fact that the number of PC technicians is much higher than that of Mac technicians, it comes to say that maintenance of PC’s is much easier.
Even were repair and replacement of parts is concerned, it is much cheaper and more accessible when you own a PC as compared to when you own a Mac.
Software updates and installations are also much cheaper in PC’s than in Mac computers.
When investing in computers for your small business, it’s of great importance to consider the kind of maintenance requirements you are prepared for.
If your IT technician is an expert in PC systems and you don’t plan on hiring a Mac systems technician, then you will be better off with PC’s. You also need to consider that Mac technicians will cost more than PC technicians.
MAC versus PC
Security
Mac computers, their operating system and the software used are designed with the most powerful security provisions. These computers are not easily affected by viruses and malware.
On the other hand, PC’s are very susceptible to viruses and you will have to keep updating their antivirus, antimalware and firewall software frequently for safer and more secure use.
This may also be attributed to the huge number of PC users in the world as compared to the number of Mac users. Mac also has more secure features to reduce the probability of being hacked as compared to PC’s.
Ease of use
Apple usually designs their devices with user interfaces and body designs that are easy to use and very user-friendly. With their incredible keyboard designs, typing on a Mac computer is always a joy, even in the dark as the keypads are illuminated.
Mac’s user interface is easy to maneuver and its controls are so basic, easy to understand and easy to manipulate.
In fact, Mac’s real strength is manifested in its ease to connect to networks such as WiFi, internet and LAN, and these computers can easily connect even where PC’s cannot.
Display is also a great strength for the Mac especially with the invention of the Retina Display screens that reduce glare and provide a high resolution display that is safe and comfortable to the human eye.
Mac’s screen and display quality will be particularly important if your business is mainly involved in tasks and processes that require use of high resolution screens, such as graphic design, animation and gaming among others.
Build quality
There is nothing that beats Apple when it comes to the design of durable computers. Mac computers have always held top position when it comes to design, attention to detail, durability and user friendliness.
The quality of each of its parts, starting from its chassis, keyboard, screen and webcam among others is built with strength and durability in mind.
Given their hefty price tags, it is obvious that Apple has to ensure that their computers are a worthy investment, and that they are not built with flimsy and low quality materials such as weak plastic.
On the other hand, PC’s cost much less, which obviously means that the materials used to build them are not as expensive and high quality as those used in Mac computers.
Cloud storage and syncing
As much as Mac computers come with little internal storage in the form of SSD, their storage space is compensated by the provision of iCloud storage which enables storage of data over the internet.
This is even better because it allows easier and more effective synching of all iOS and Mac devices over the internet. As much as PC’s have also embraced cloud storage provisions such as Dropbox and Google Drive, the quality and ease of use can never beat that of the iCloud.
Connectivity to peripherals has also been made easier, with faster transfer speeds, thanks to the Thunderbolt feature in Mac.
Conclusion
Mac and PC have grown a great deal over the decades and with the improvement of features and design, it has come to a point where they are at par in terms of competition.
As a matter of fact, the choice between PC and Mac is currently based on personal preferences. The learning curve to using any of these two computers should also be considered before investing in one.
It is advisable to choose a computer that you can use with ease as the transition from PC to Mac or vice versa will definitely take some duration.
Backup and transfer of data should also be considered as transferring it from PC to Mac or from Mac to PC is more challenging as compared to transferring from PC to PC or from Mac to Mac.
For any small business owner who wants to invest in computers for their business, the above factors should always be considered before finally choosing to purchase a Mac or a PC.